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Common Tree Root Problems

Serving the Greater Madison, WI area and Dane County

Tree root bulging through sidewalk causing cracks and damage

Roots are the silent defenders of the trees in landscapes across Madison, WI. They may hide underneath the soil and out of sight, but their network is how trees are able to absorb the water and nutrients they need to survive. Unfortunately there are a variety of different problems that can damage your roots, and by extension the trees connected to them.

Let’s go through some of these most common root collar problems, and explain how the arborists at Accurate Tree Services + H&H Arborists can help treat them.

Signs of Root Collar Problems

How can you tell if you’re experiencing root collar problems if you don’t have easy access to see the roots themselves? Luckily, the state of your roots are easily shown in the tree itself. The signs are subtle at first, which makes it all the more important to know what to look out for. If you can track a root collar problem in its early stages it can make all the difference in the health of your tree. Signs of root collar problems include:

  • Yellowing leaves
  • Early leaf coloration and dropping
  • Dieback in the trees upper crown

Trees are meant to have a visible flair at the root collar. If that isn’t the case, that could mean the collar is buried and the tree is essentially suffocating. This can result in a variety of problems ranging from limited sap movement to damage from wood-boring insects. That’s why we always suggest arranging for professional root collar treatment from a team like Accurate Tree Services + H&H Arborists that can keep your woodland healthy and thriving.

Treating Root Collar Disorders

When you seek treatment for your tree’s root collar through Accurate Tree Services + H&H Arborists, we can send a trained arborist to inspect the roots and surrounding soil of your yard. Based on what we find we may suggest a variety of treatments. If your soil is compacted, for instance, we can use an AirSpade to aerate the soil and free up some crucial space for the roots inside without damaging them. We can also apply vertical mulching to improve the health of our tree without damaging it in the process.

Root Collar FAQ

Girdling roots most commonly come from trees bound in containers at nurseries, or ones that have been poorly planted at the wrong depth. It results from the roots being unable to expand outward, resulting in them circling the root ball and hindering the overall health of the tree. Girdling roots are most likely to form in maples and lindens, but with the right stressors they can be seen in almost any tree.

If your soil is tightly compacted, it can prevent water and soil from being absorbed into the roots of your trees. But how do you know if you have compacted soil? If your property has compacted soil, you may be experiencing:

  • Pooling water in low areas
  • Water runoff with little to know absorption
  • Stunted plant growth
  • Shallow roots
  • Bare areas with no growth

To put it simply, if you cannot drive a shovel or other tool through your soil, it’s compacted. To get it back to functionality, you need the help of a team like Accurate Tree Services + H&H Arborists.

Accurate Tree Services + H&H Arborists for Root Collar Treatment in Madison, WI

In cases of root collar disorders, it’s possible to step in and salvage the health of your tree. However, to make that happen you need to act quickly. The trained arborists at Accurate Tree Services + H&H Arborists have over 38 years of experience in all things tree care and maintenance. You can trust us to take care of your trees without disrupting the surrounding landscape. From root to tip, we provide comprehensive service to make sure the ecosystem of your property stays healthy and beautiful. Contact us today to get started!

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Common Tree Root Problems in the Greater Madison, WI area

Serving Dane County

Madison | Verona | Fitchburg | Middleton | Monona | Waunakee | McFarland | Sun Prairie | Oregon (WI) | Cross Plains

Stoughton | Cottage Grove | DeForest | Belleville | Mount Horeb